Renewables
Pricing Sustainability: What Electricity Rate Design Means for the Future of Solar and Efficiency
In recent years, increasing levels of distributed generation have led to challenging questions about how utilities charge customers for the electricity they use. To date, this has largely been a debate between utilities and distributed solar industry and advocates, but the potential impact on energy efficiency is enormous. The session will take a close look at proposed reforms in electric rate design, show how they could change the economics of consumer investments in residential energy efficiency, and recommend what works best for the modern energy consumer.
A key topic will be the trend among utilities to increase fixed fees, also known as customer service charges, to levels that impair consumer control over energy costs and disrupt energy efficiency. Also spotlighted will be legislation passed in Connecticut that established a pro-consumer definition of the fixed fee and how that approach might translate to other states in the region.
Overall, this session will present a concrete vision for how grid reform can accelerate, not impede, progress on making our buildings highly-energy efficient.
When Does Smaller Scale Cogeneration Make Sense?
Cogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP) can provide cost-effective power, heating, and cooling, reduced emissions, lower costs, and energy surety—under the right conditions. But how do we know whether CHP might be a good fit for residences, commercial buildings and multifamily housing relative to large facilities, campuses and urban districts? Can existing central utility plants be upgraded to cogeneration? Is third party financing, ownership and operation an option? This presentation offers the perspective of experienced CHP designers and installers who will provide an overview of smaller-scale CHP technologies and applications, describe the elements of feasibility assessment for CHP in new construction and retrofits, and offer examples of installations and business models for various scales of CHP installations.
Northeast Solar Policy: What's Coming
Solar policies continue to evolve at breakneck pace, making it challenging to keep on top of all of the latest. Which types of proposals are likely to catch on and drive the industry as it progresses towards maturity? How will solar policies interact with pushes for grid modernization? This session will provide a quick update on the latest in the states with major changes and then a discussion on what three engaged solar policy experts consider the most interesting developments we’ll see in the next year or two (good or bad). We’ll also discuss lessons learned in the last couple years. Come listen in as three of the brightest in the industry push back and engage on the most interesting issues in solar.
Lightning in a Bottle II: Energy Storage Applications, Business Models and Case Studies
Energy storage technologies are receiving a great deal of attention and investment. This second of two sessions will take a closer look at energy storage applications, business models, case examples, and project development considerations in the Northeast region and nationally. What technologies are being deployed now, under what business models, and what circumstances make sense technically and economically for your project? We will describe energy storage applications for grid support, peak shifting and load leveling, renewable energy integration, microgrids and resilience, and aggregations for demand response. We will consider how energy storage might apply to your projects, clients and communities, and explore value streams and business models for energy storage deployment including third party ownership and power purchase agreements.
Lightning in a Bottle I: Energy Storage Technologies and Markets
Energy storage technologies such as batteries, flywheels and thermal storage are poised to reshape our energy systems at the scales of the grid, communities, buildings and vehicles, and the relationships between these categories. This first of two sessions will provide an overview of energy storage technologies, applications and markets in the Northeast region and nationally. It will highlight the research from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources energy storage study underway. Is the energy storage tipping point truly in sight? What market applications are favorable for which sets of technologies? What impact will storage have on renewable energy deployment? How might electric vehicles mobilize opportunities for energy storage in the built environment? Please join us as we cut through the hype for a lively discussion of developments in this dynamic field.
Cities: How are Our Neighbors Doing?
Cities play critical roles in achieving our climate goals, and proactive approaches toward energy efficiency and clean energy drive economic development, revitalization, and local job growth. This session will provide a detailed look at the efficiency and clean energy plans in some of NYC’s neighboring cities – Philadelphia, Yonkers, and Albany– and discuss lessons learned from efforts to advance energy solutions. Such participation in city-to-city networks and city-state partnerships are particularly effective ways to unleash innovative solutions.
Solar in the City
Solar electric (PV) and hot water (DHW) generation systems are visible throughout the metropolitan area, yet some view solar in NYC as obstacle. New York has a thriving market with some of the best incentives and among the highest electricity rates in the country. During this session, experts will discuss successful installations, community solar projects, Building Integrated Solar PV (BIPV), and what the changes in government incentives will mean to the industry.
Reforming the Energy Vision's (REV's) Effect on You
The electric industry is in transition. Innovation and increasing competitiveness of renewable energy resources, combined with aging infrastructure, extreme weather events, and system security and resiliency needs, are all leading to significant changes in how electricity is generated, distributed, managed and consumed. This session will describe how New York State’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) strategy will lead to regulatory changes that promote more efficient use of energy, deeper penetration of renewable energy resources such as wind and solar, and wider deployment of “distributed” energy resources.
Electricity 101 - Understanding electricity markets and regulations in the Northeast
This workshop will explain the roles of legislatures, utility commissions, state energy offices and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in setting energy policy. It will explain day ahead and real time wholesale energy markets, capacity markets, and REC markets, and the role of Independent System Operators and the New England Power Pool. We will review how retail “standard offer” energy pricing is set and how transmission, distribution, transition, demand charges and other aspects of retail pricing are established. Energy professionals who don’t yet know this stuff should.
Sustainable Design for Developing Countries
This active-learning workshop will explore the challenges of sustainable design in developing countries. Following a brief presentation and discussion of recent projects, participants will be divided into small groups for a charrette focusing on two current projects where resilient design and energy independence are critical. One project is at the very beginning stage while the other is further advanced, leading to a variety of design challenges to address. The workshop will conclude with group presentations and an open discussion.